Valved tap plug



v` 5, 1939. R. w.Y THOMAS 2,172,311

VALVED TAP PLUG Filed July 7, 1957 2 shuts-sheet 2 In LD el 'q2 IN VEN TOR. ROSSWELL. W. THOMAS ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES .2,172,311 VALVE TAP PLUG Rosswell W. Thomas, Birmingham, Mich., assignor to Phillips Petroleum. Company, a corporation of Delaware Application July 7, 1937, Serial No. 152,431

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved tap plug for containers, and more in particular to a valved tap plug for containers adapted to handle fluids, and especially containers of fluids under pressure.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved valved tap plug for containers which have a valved dispensing port, and additional ports operable under certain conditions of temperature and pressure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved valved tap plug for containers of fluids under pressure, and to provide such a plug as will permit the transportation and storage of the contents thereof without danger of leakage, and which is also provided with a safety device permitting of automatic emptying of the contents of the container when the same are subjected to relatively extreme temperature conditions, and which is further provided with a safety device permitting of automatic emptying, or at least partial emptying, of the contents of the container when the same are subjected to relatively extreme internal pressures, and which last mentioned device will function to prevent continued emptying of the container when such internal pressure conditions cease to exist, and wherein such safety devices are recessed within said plug and thereby protected.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved valved tap plug for containers of fluids under pressure which is provided with a safety device permitting of automatic emptying, or at least partial emptying of the contents of .35 the container when the same are'subjected to relatively extreme internal pressure and which device will function to prevent continued emptying of the container when the undesired excess pressure has been relieved, andwhich device is 40 readily adjustable to function as stated at varying pressures within the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved valved tap plug for containers of fluids under pressure which is provided with a e5 valve for controlling the dispensing of the contents of the container, and a valve to permit of the automatic emptying, or at least partial emptying, of the contents of the container when the same is subject to relatively extreme internal pressure and which will also iunction'to prevent continued emptying of the container when such internal pressure conditions cease to exist, and wherein said valves are substantially identical and interchangeable.

stm another object of this inventan4 is to provide an improved valved tap plug for containers of fluids under pressure which will facilitate dispensing of the contents thereof, and which is' readily connectable with a conduit for drawing off r the contents of the container. l

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved valved tap plug constructed to receive a member insertable therein for actuating and opening a val've thereof through which the contents of the container may be dispensed, and which member is also adapted to be connected to a conduit for conveying the said contents to their point or place of consumption.

Still another object of this invention is to pro- -vide a valved tap plug for containers of uids under pressure which has a main valved dispensing port and a closure or sealing means' therefor to protect the same, and which when in place is incapable of actuating or opening the valved port. l

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved valved tap plug for containers which will readily permit of the complete draining of the container contents.

While this present invention relates to a. valved tap plug which is especially adapted for containers of fluids under pressure, itis to be understood that the scope and spirit of this invention is not to be thereby restricted, nor limited to any particular type of container, or containers of any particular type of iluid.

Recent years have developed the increased use of liquefied petroleum gases, .both industrially and domestically, and the use of such gases have been especially accepted for domestic uses in rural localities where gaseous fuel facilities of metropolitan districts are not available. And as before stated, while this invention is not limited for use with containers of any specific fluid, it does lend itself admirably for use with containers, of any size or construction, used in handling, storing and dispensing, liquefied petroleum gases, such as propane and butane, and is especially adaptable for connecting such containers to the service conduits leading to-gaseous fuel burning appliances and to control and provide against certain factors so as to render the dispensing and utilizing of such fuel safe and facile.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detail description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part` of this specification, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the improved valved tap plug, illustrating the same in connection with a container, which is fragmentarily shown, and wherein the valved tap plug is sealed by a stopper as for handling trans- I portation or storage;

FlgureZ is a cross-sectional view of the improved valvedtap plug, as shown in Figure 1, but with the stopper removed, and illustrates the same with a valve actuating and container contents dispensing element inserted in the plug to open the dispensing valve port thereof;

Figure 3 is 'a detail plan view of a plug por closure illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of a valve structure of the plug illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and is a partial cross-sectional view of such a valve taken on the longitudinal axis thereof;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the valve illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modied type of improved valve tap plug;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the modified type of improved valve plug illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a further modified type of improved valve tap plug; and

Figure 9 is a plan view of the further modified typ of improved valve tap plug illustrated in Figure 8.-

With reference now to Figure 1A of the drawings, there is fragmentarily illustrated a wall of a container I0, which may be of any suitable size or type but which for the purposes of explaining this invention is adapted to contain uids under pressure, such as liquefied petroleum gases of the type commonly stored under pressure in containers as liquids, and when the pressure is released thereon are utilized as gaseous fuel. The container is provided with a circular aperture II in which there is inserted the circular valved tap plug or body I2 formed with the beveled shoulders I3 which are of greater diameter than the remainder of the plug, and which are so formed to support the same in position on the container. 'I'he plug body I2 is secured to the container I0 and held in place by the weld I4, although any other suitable means of securing the plug to the container may be employed.

Centrally of the valved tap plug body I2 there is provided a circular bore I5 which extends approximately half way through the plug and has an upper portion thereof screw threaded as at I6, while the lower portion presents a continuous annular wall I1 in which ts a iiexible packing ring I8, which may be made of resilient material, such as rubber or any other equivalently compressible material. A second bore I8 of reduced diameter,

but axially aligned with bore I5, is provided with -the screw threaded portion 28, which is of a uniform diameter, and with a tapering portion 2I of reduced diameter which continues through the under face of the plug.

Screwed into the bore I9, and the screw threads 20 thereof, is a valve assembly 22, which will hereafter be described in detail, and which is provided `ment with relation to the casing. l'I'o the upper end .of the casing there is secured thereto by a swivel joint a screw threaded extension 24, of a diameter engageable with the threads 20 of the plug I2, and a yolk or shoulder 25 through which passes a slidable stem 25 provided with upset portion or head 21 to limit the downward movement of the stem. The lower end of the stem 26 terminates in a cap portion 28 in which is fitted a packing 29 upon which rests a reduced portion 30 of the valve casing 22. Within the valve casing 22 there is formed a shoulder 3| upon which rest's one end of coil spring 32 the other end .of which forces against the stop 33 formed on the stem 26. 'Ihis valve assembly will be recognized as the usual valve core used in vehicle tires throughout the country.

Thus it will be appreciated that by depressing the upset or head portion 21 and forcing the stem 26 downwardly against the action of spring 32 and against the unbalanced pressure of the gas in the tank, while holding the casing 22 stationary by means of its screw-threaded engagement at 24 with the threads 20 of the plug I3, the cap 23 of the valve assembly will be uncovered from the reduced portion 38 of the casing 22 permitting passage through the interior of the valve assembly, and when the same is positioned in the valved tap plug as shown in Figure l, such movement cf the stem 2G will permit passage'of uid from the interior of the container through the bore I3 of the plug by way of the interior of the valve assembly and into the lower portion of bore I5.

In Figure l the valve assembly 22 is illustrated in the position it .occupies when the container I8 is being handled, stored or transported, and the contents thereof are not being dispensed, and to prevent and guard against the depression o1' aged or otherwise permits gas to escape. 'I'he stopper 34 and gasket I8 also serves to keep dirt. moisture or other foreign material from the screw threaded valve recess and from valve assembly 22.

The under side of the plug 34. is cut away to present the recess 35 so.that regardless of how far into the bore I5 the plug is screwed there will be no danger of its contacting the valve head 21 and opening the valve. The stopperl is provided with a handle 36 to facilitate the insertion and removal thereof, and a ring 31 is disposed about the neck of the plug 34 which ring is fastened to acoupling 38 of the'chain 39, which in turn is'secured by a coupling 40 to a pin 4I screwed or driven into the top of the plug body adjacent the periphery thereof.4 Thus itwill'be seen that the plug 34 when inserted in the bore I5 will protect the valve assembly 22, and in the event valve assembly 22 leaks the plug 34 seating onA gasket I8 will act as aV seal. While the plug 34 may be readily removed from the bore I5 it will still be retained by the chain, or any other equivalent means, to the plug body, -and will thereby be prevented from becoming misplaced andlost. Plug 34 is further formed with the groove 34-A, about which nts the'rlng 31,

so that if the plug, while in the position illus- 15 Screw.

The valved tap plug I2 is further provided with another bore 42 which extends through the same from4 the top'surface to the under surface thereof and which comprises the upper screw threaded portion 43 and the lower portion 44 which is of a reduced diameter and has continuous walls. 'Iransversely positioned with respect to the bore 42 and communicating therewith is provided a bore or port 45, which is preferably positioned below the under side of the ange I3 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the container I0. Port 45 being in communication with bore 42 is utilized as a drain port for emptying the container when the same is turned bottom end up, and will hereafter be further referred to and described.

Within the bore or port 4-2 there is positioned a packing ring 45-A, resting upon seat 42A, upon which rests a sleeve 46 having the internally and externally screw threaded portion 41, of which the outer portion is engageable with the 'screw threads 43, and the continuous portion'48 which extends downwardly beyond the under surface of the valved tap plug I2 and which interiorly thereof is formed with the tapered seat IIS- A and at the end is provided with the screw threaded portion 58. The upper end of the sleeve 46 is provided on opposite portions of the periphery thereof with the kerfs 58, to facilitate the insertion and removal of the sleeve 46 into and out of the bore 62 byy Aany suitable tool. Within the sleeve 86 there is further provided a screw threaded stop member 5I having the shoulder 52 by which it may be moved into and out of the sleeve, which may be adjusted to any suitable position within the screw threaded portion 41. `Bearing against the under side of the stop 5I is one end of a coil spring 53, the other end of which engages the head or cap portion 28-A of a valve assembly 22-A which is screwed into the threaded portion 49 of thev sleeve with the packing ring 23-A resting in the tapered` seat 48--A, and which is preferablysubstantially identical with the valve assembly 22 illustrated in' Figure 4. Thespring 53. augments the force with which a spring in the valve assembly, such as the spring 32 of Figure 4, holds the cap 28 on the reduced portion 30 of the casing 22 to maintain the valve assembly 22-A in a closed position and prevent leakage of the container contents therethrough. By adjustment of the stop 5I the tension of the spring 53 may be controlled to regulate the force with which it assistsin maintaining the cap 28 on reduced Vportion 30 of the valve assembly 22 to prevent escape or passage of the container contents.

The bores or ports 55 and 42 provided with -the screw thread portions 56 and 43 respectively,

are preferably/'of the same diameter, size and construction, as are the packing rings 58 and 45-A, so that they may conveniently be used interchangeably to receive sleeve or 46 which may contain either a fusible plug such as the onthe reduced portion 30 of the valve assembly one 6I, or a relief valve such as the one 22-A.

Figure 5 illustrates a modified structure of the cap 28 of the valve assemblies 22 or 22-A, and in this instance the head 28 is provided with the flanged surface 54 against which the end of spring 53 may seat.

It is to be understood that the valve assemblies 22 and 22--A shown in the ports I8 and 42 .of Figures 1 and 2 are substantially identical and interchangeable and their full purpose and function will hereafter be described.

The valved tap plug body I2 is further provided with port 55 which extends therethrough from the upper to the lower side, and which consists of an upper screw threaded portion 56, a seat 51 for a washer or packing member 58, anda lower portion 59 which has continuous walls. Inserted in the port 55 and engageable with the screw threads 56 thereof is a hollow screw threaded sleeve 60 which seats upon the packing 58 and which is filled with a fusible metal plug 6I.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the screw threaded sleeve 60 filled. with the fusible metal insert 6I, and cut into the periphery of the sleeve and insert is a kerf 62 adapted to receive a tool for Vthe insertion and removal of the sleeve or of `ing this invention, that the plug body I2 inserted in the opening II of a container I8, as illustrated in Figure l, is being used in connection witha container for a liquefied petroleum gas of the type used as domestic and industrial fuel. With the various parts of the invention in this position the valve assembly 22 is functioning to close the port I9A of the plug and the screw thread stopper 34 is serving to guard the valve assembly and prevent depressing of the head 21 thereof and the resultant escape of the container contents, and the stopper is so constructed due to the recess 35 in the under side thereof that it cannot possibly be screwed into the port I5 to an extent suiiicient to depress the valve assembly head 21. With the valve assembly 22 and stopper 34 in this position liquefied petroleum gases can be conveniently stored or transported, and otherwise be retained in the container until needed.

Under normal conditions there cari be nov escape of the container contents through the port, I9 by way of the valve assembly 22 for the spring 32 thereof retains the cap 28 in position and so prevents any leakage, and regardless of the pressure within the container there will still be no leakage as the internal pressure within the container will only serve to augment the action of the spring 32 and more securely hold the cap 28 in place, as the same is' designed and so positioned as to work downwardly against the pressure within the container.

However if the container, while filled with contents of such a character that they might explode' under extreme pressure-*conditions is subjected to extreme` heat 'with the resultant increase 'of pressure therewithin, or if by any other reason ort-.cause the pressure in the lcontainer approaches dangerous' proportions the pressure will act on valve assembly 22--A and force the same open against the action of spring 32 thereof and spring 53 alowing the contents shoulder 64 and a tapered portion 65.

escape, until the pressure Within the container is no longer sufcient rto open the valve 22-A against the combined action of the springs 32 and 53, at which time the pressure within the container will have been reduced to normal conditions, and the valve assembly by closing the port 42 will prevent the further escape of the contents. A

The valve assembly 22-A is positioned in the port 42, in a position reverse to that of positioning the valve assembly 22 of the port I9. Thus it will be seen that valve assembly 22A opens outwardly upon extreme pressures within the container I and by virtue of spring 53 is prevented from opening when the container is under normal pressure, while the valve assembly 22 of port I9 opens inwardly by positive application of force to the head 21 thereof from the outside of the container, and internal pressure within the container only servesto hold the valve assembly 22 more tightly closed to prevent leakage 'through the port I9.

If from any cause the container while filled with such material as liquefied petroleum gases or the like is subjected to relatively extreme heat which would be sumcient to cause it to explode or present the possibility thereof, such danger will beV alleviated by virtue of the fusible insert 6I of 'the eleeve 60. 'I'his insert is designed to be of such a composition that under any heat conditions such as would render the container possible of exploding, the insert will first melt or fuse, or at least partially fuse, to the extent that the pressure in the container will force the insert out of the sleeve and then by virtue of thel port 55 provide an escape for the container contents. Thereafter the sleeve 60 may be easily removed and a new fusible insert put therein for use against another similar emergency.

When it is desired to remove thecontents of the container, as for normaLusi'hcorisumption, the stopper 34 is* first unscrewed from the port I and due vto the chain 39 attached thereto the .stopper is rendered incapable of being misplaced.

A hollow nipple or tubular member 62, having a passage therethrough, is then inserted in the port I5, as illustrated in Figure 2, and it will be noted that this nipple has a screw threaded upper portion 63 and is provided nearthe lower end thereof withv an enlarged hexagonally shaped Within the lower end of the hollow nipple or tubular member 62 the passage therethrough -is partly closed by the restriction 66 in which are formed a plurality of passages such as the one shown `at 41. 'I'he under side of the restriction is partiallycut out to form a recess 66, for the purpose presently to be described. A hollow sleeve 69, of a diameter slightly larger than the nipple 62 and having the screw threaded portion III and handle 1I, is then slipped over the nipple I4 and screwed down into the screw three ded portion I6 of the port I5 until the lower end of the sleevel 69 abuts the hexagonally shaped shoulder 64 formed on the nipple, after which continued screwing of the sleeve into the port I5 will force the beveled portion 65 of the nipple into contact withthe packing Il and distort the same as illustrated in Figure 2 to make a complete seal between the packing Il and the`beveled portion 65 of the nipple and thus prevent the possi? bility of any of the contents` when withdrawn from the container from escaping other than through the internal passage of the nipple. Further insertion of the sleeve 69 into the port I5 will be accompanied by still further yimertio'n of the nipple 62 until the head 21 of the `valve assembly is resting within the recess 68 andas the nipple is forced downwardly the recess will prevent the head 21 from slipping past the restriction 66 which will thereby force the head 21 and stem 26 of the valve assembly downwardly against the action of spring 32 and so open the valve assembly for passage of the container contents therethrough and into the internal passage of the sleeve I2 by unseating the cap'28 from the reduced portion 30, as shown in Figure 2.

In this manner the contents of the container will be permitted to escape through the valve asports 42 and 45 in communication and by turning the container bottom end up the contents thereof will completely drain as thereupper wall of the port 45 is flush with the-interior of the container wall.

It is to be 'noted that the valve assembly 22, the

. fus'ble insert 6I, of the sleeve 60, and the valve 22-A, of the sleeve 46, are all recessed within the valved tap plug I2 and protectedlthereby, thus obviating the necessity of any ring or guard about the tap plug I2 to *protect the elements contained Vin the body thereof. It is to be further noted that the showings of the preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings include only a very small section of the container wall and that the size of the parts are greatly exaggerated for the purpose of clarity. Actually the plug of the preferred embodiment appears relatively flush with the container walls and constitutes a part of the same.

Figure 6 to 8 inclusive illustrate modified types 4 of improved tap plugs designed for combination with a valve assembly such as the ones 22 and Z2-A and the-fusible plug 6I as herein described.

In Figures 6 and 8 the valve plugs are illustrated as inserted in an apertureA II of a container Il which is fragmentarily shown. A

With reference now to Figure 6 it will be appreciated that into the aperture II of the container there is-iitted a boss III provided with the beveled flange II which'supports the same upon the outer wall of the container I0, and whichis secured in position by any suitable means such as the weld 62 which extends continuouslyfabout the periphery of the boss 80.

The boss III is formed with a bore or port comprising the enlarged bore 63 and the lesser'screw .threaded bore 64 intermediate of which is provided the shoulder 85 to accommodate the packing ring 86 which may be formed of any suitably resilient and compressible material su'ch as rubber Y l boss is screw ttedthe'modied improved tap plug 41 formed with the shoulder Il adapted to make contact with the packing 86 and to be forced tightly down thereon by virtue of the screw fitting between the boss bore I4 and the plug 61. v

The plug Il is formed with the screw threaded` port 5 3, the packing ring I6, the screw threaded port 2l and the tapered seat -2I, as is the plug I2 Piositioned within the bores and I4 of the v bination with the stopper 34, the valve assembly 22, and the sleeve 69 and nipple 62 is hereinbefore described..

Plug 81 is likewise provided with a drain port 45 by virtue of which the container l0 may be drained when the plug 81 is removed.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the boss 80 and plug 81, illustrating in the latter the ports 56 and 20 and ports 42 and 55 similar to those illustrated in Figure 1 for the purpose of inserting therein the sleeve 60 and fusible plug 6i and the sleeve 41 and relief valve 22A respectively, or alternately, as herein described.

In Figure 8 is illustrated a further modified form of improved tap plug in which modification an internally threaded nut 90 is attached to the inside of the container l by any suitable means such as by the spot weld 9|, and which is also provided with a drain port 45. Screw fitted into the nut 90 in the tap plug 92 formed with the flange 93 on the under side of which is provided the annular channel 94 to retain the packing ring 95 forming a seal between the plug 92 and the container lll.

The improved tap plug 92 is formed with the bore or port 56, packing I8, the screw threaded port 20 and the tapered port 2l all as illustrated in Figure 1 and hereinbefore described.

Figure 9 is a plan View of the improved tap plug illustrated in Figure 8 and illustrates the ports or bores 42 and 55 in which may alternately be positioned the sleeves 46 or 60 containing the relief valve 22-A or the fusible plug 6| as described.

I claim:

1. -A valved tap plug for containers, comprising -a circular plug body having-a plurality of ports therein positioned parallel to the axis of said plug and communicating with the interior of` said container, valves forcertain of said ports,

said valves being interchangeable one with the other, one of said valves being operable to normally dispense the contents of said container. another of said valves being operable to open upon .relatively extreme pressure conditions within said container to relieve said pressure,

and a port within said plug body positioned transversely of the axis thereof and vin communication with' one of said other ports and the. interior of said container for draining the same,

and the upper surface of said port being substantially flush with the interior wall of said container. L

2. A plug body for the body Wall of al liquid gas container comprising, a bore in said plug body, a tire valve core ln-said bore, said core including a body member, a, valve stem`extending through said body member,l an enlarged portion on said valve stem adapted to sealngly vengage said body member, and a spring between said valve stem and said body member biasing said enlarged portion against said body member, an adjustable supplemental spring in said bore further biasing said* enlarged portion.

against said body member, said core being positioned in said bore so that pressure in said container acts on said enlarged portion in opposition to the combined biasing action of said springs.

3'. A plug body for the body wall of a liquid gas container comprising, a bore in said plug body, a tire valve core in said bore adapted to close against pressure in saidcontainer, -and a spring in said bore acting on said valve core to maintain the same closed within desired limits of pressure in said container.

4. A valved tap' plug for a container, comprising a plug body having a bore formed therein in communication with the interior of said container, a valve positioned insaid bore for normally dispensing the contents of said container, a iiexible packing in an intermediate portion of said bore,`a nipple having a passage therethrough for insertion to said bore to make contact with said packing and distort 'the same into a seal preventing escape of the contents from said container other than through said nipple, a restriction in the lower end of said nipple for contact vwith said valve to open the same, and a screw threaded sleeve for insertion in said bore rfor forcing said nipple rst into contact with said packing to effect said seal and then to contact said valve and open the same.

5. A liquefied fuel gas dispensing system comprising a container having an opening in one wall, a tap plug secured in said opening, a dispensing passage in 'said tap plug establishing communication between the exterior andI interior of the container, a tire valve core for closing said dispensing passage and openable against pressure in the container, said valve core being ,removable as a unit from the exterior 'of the -being so disposed in said tap plug as to be entirely within the confines of the container walls.

6. A liqueed fuel gas `dispensing system comprising a container having an opening in one wall, a tap plug secured in said opening, a dispensing passage and a reliefpassage in said tap plug establishing communication between the interior and exterior of the container, a tire valve core for closing said dispensing passage and openable against pressure in the container, a dispensing conduit removably connected to the exterior end of said dispensing passage, a. projection carried by the dispensing conduit coacting with said tire valve core to maintain the same in open position, a tire valve core closing said relief passage and openable by excess pressure in the container, both valvasbeing so disposed in the tap plug as to be Wthin'the confines of the container walls.

7. A liquefied fuel gas dispensing system comprising a container having an opening in one wall, a tap plug secured in said opening, a dispensing passage and a pair of relief passages in said tap plug establishing communication between the interior and the exterior of the container, a valve closing said dispensing passage and openable against pressure in the container, a dispensing conduit removably connected to the exterior end of said dispensing passage, a projection carried by the dispensing conduit coacting withsaid valve to maintain the same in open position, a valve closing one relief passage and openable by excess pressure in the container and a temperature sensitive device closing the other relief passage and openable under excess temperature conditions, both valves being so disposed in the tap plug as to be within tr'i'e confines of the container walls. 

